Mexican standoff: Obama must ban assault weapons to halt violence on both sides of border

Much of the talk about the U.S.-Mexico relationship these days centers on the flow of illegal guns south over the border. Fair enough, and long overdue.

American weapons, easily bought thanks to woefully lax gun-control laws, are winding up in the arsenal of Mexican drug cartels, who are murdering thousands and destabilizing our southern neighbor.

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The havoc is spilling over into our border states.

But let's not neglect an equally dangerous trend in firearm trafficking - namely, the flow of illegal weapons from America's Southern states north, especially to big cities like New York.

As crime has declined in some big cities in recent years, that war has gotten less ink. But blood is still staining the streets, and easy access to guns is a big reason why.

We've said it before and we'll say it again: Most of the guns used in New York City crimes come from out of state - from places like Virginia, where it's criminally easy to get your hands on a firearm.

Barring stronger gun control in those National Rifle Association-dominated states, which will happen when Virginia Beach freezes over, the only answer is strong federal action to curb the purchasing and trafficking of weapons.

A no-brainer place to start: Renewing the ban on assault weapons. With a Democratic Congress and President, that shouldn't be a heavy lift.

But President Obama, fearing NRA opposition, has yet to make any kind of concerted push on that front. That's surrendering.

Reining in assault weapons and getting serious about other federal gun restrictions would help Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon contain the narco-fueled raging border fire.

But just as important, it would help American cities long plagued by gun violence finally get some peace, quiet and safety.